THE GAME
Hednesford Town v Boston United
Pre-season friendly
Keys Park Stadium, Keys Park Road, Hednesford, WS12 2DZ
Saturday 1st August, Kick Off 3pm.
THE PITMEN
Hednesford go into their final pre-season friendly with just one defeat in the previous five, a 2-1 home reversal to step one Solihull Moors. A 6-0 win at Chasetown and three draws, 0-0 at Stratford Town, 2-2 with the PFA and 1-1 against Connah’s Quay Nomads have seen Jamie Cooke net four times, Niall Maher twice along with goals from Aaron Jervis, Josh Mabbley and Ahkeem Rose.
Hednesford will commence their 2026/27 league campaign next Saturday with a trip to Merthyr, their first game at step 2 since the 2015/16 season.
THE OPPOSITION
After finishing 12th in last season’s National League with 59 points from 46 games, some 19 points away from the play-offs, Boston manager Paul Hurst has so far brought in 11 new signings.
These are defenders Jake Rooney (Derby County), Jamie Grimes (Chesterfield), George Ward (Buxton), Lewis Shipley (Barrow) and Kai Mauro (Balon de Cadiz, Spain) and midfielders Ben Hammond (Nottingham Forest), Gavan Holohan (Hartlepool), Nicholas Pozo (Lincoln Red Imps, Gibraltar), Terrell Agyemang (Morecambe), Jack Holmes (Rotherham) and Connor McBride (Rochdale).
They are joined by goalkeeper Luke Faxon and defender Sai Sachdev who have both signed on loan from Sheffield United until January 2027.
In their five pre-season games so far, Boston have lost 2-3 to Chesterfield with Tom Cursons and Jack Holmes scoring and 0-1 to Lincoln City but have beaten Alfreton 2-1 and Peterborough United 1-0 with Tom Cursons on the mark again. On Wednesday night they entertained Grimsby Town in a game that ended goalless.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
Since 2000/01 The Pitmen and The Pilgrims have met in league action at steps 1, 2 and 3.
On 10 occasions, they’ve drawn and each club has five wins. At Keys Park, Hednesford have picked up two wins during this time.
In 2013/14 in the then Conference North, Hednesford beat Boston 4-2 with goals from present day CEO Marvin Robinson, Paul McCone, Neil Harvey and Nathan Blissett.
Meanwhile, in 2015/16 in the renamed National League North they beat the visitors 3-2, Ahmed Obeng and Tyrone Williams (2) scoring.
MATCHDAY DETAILS
Admission on Saturday is £8 adults, £5 concessions, £2 13-17 years old and £1 under 13.
Anyone aged 15 or under will need to be accompanied by a paying adult.
Tickets are available in advance via the Fanbase App.
Gates open at 1pm along with the Ticket Office, Club Shop and Chase Suite, but please remember that there will be no parking at the stadium due to building work.
Keys Park is now smoke/vape free with designated areas for smoking in the Fanzones behind the Hednesford End and Heath Hayes End.
In order to maximise the number of supporters in the Chase Suite, dogs will not be allowed in there.
Also, this is a designated game which means that no alcohol can be consumed in view of the pitch and only the Boltbar behind the Wimblebury Terrace will be open.
